History

The area now known as Forest Home was first settled in 1794, the earliest settlement in the area of Ithaca NY. The reason was waterpower. The fast flowing waters of Fall Creek powered numerous mills. Today the mills are gone but people still remember a time when Forest Home had shops, a school, even its own post office.

An 1888 envelope postmarked at the Forest Home Post Office (Bruce Brittain)

Additional information on the history of Tompkins County in general and Forest Home in particular is available at the History Center. Visit them online at www.thehistorycenter.net or in person at 401 E. State Street, Ithaca, NY.